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Monday, 23 March 2015

Through my own play-testing, I have not had any game-breaking experience, yay. There are gremlins and bits and pieces on my must-fix/must-complete lists, but there is certainly enough content to give a good taster of what's on offer. I am very keen to see how this goes for people. Im expecting a lot of changes and adjustments due to the sheer size and open nature of the second chapter. It's always good to have another opinion and accounting of how the game played out.

Chapter 2 has been fun to make, but it has been something of a headache for me lately. There is a lot to consider and keep in mind. So I am a little concerned about how the play testing will go, but then I said this with the Chapter 1 demo and the IP release, so perhaps it's nothing. The feedback from those of you who play test will be very important and warmly appreciated.

The play-test version will be uploaded to NWVault later this week and it is likely that for this version, it will be the only download location until the full release later this year.

Yup, I said later this year for the full campaign. Chapter 2, as I mentioned above, has been one hell of a task, one I'm not likely to try and repeat in the future. My intention is to put chapter 2 down as soon as the play testing begins and put all of my energies into the final chapter of this campaign, as it returns to the tight, story driven style as seen in earlier parts of the series. I will then return to the feedback from the play testing and wrap up the second chapter.

The uploaded version will consist of the first and second chapters of Umbral Abyss. Those who played the demo of chapter 1 will certainly want to replay this part as it has been re-worked in places, tidied up and some new bits and pieces added. The music scores added the the arena sections in particular!

Chapter 2 will be a very open affair. The main plot is there to explore, but also there are over 25 side quests of various size and complexity, from multiple hour adventures, to quick tasks and treasure hunts. Some areas and content will feel unfinished, I know about these. What I am looking for is how you experience what is already there.

Thursday, 19 March 2015

Less than a week until the beta test by the looks of things. Here is the campaign details as seen in game.

"Whether it was revenge or justice you served to those who attacked
your home and murdered your friends and loved ones - Fairfields had been
avenged. The savage Maltok was slain by your hand and the mysterious
Cerulean Dawn was reduced to ashes. The price of this victory was dear.
Your father-like mentor, Thorburn was lost in the daring assault and the
enigmatic Indanthrine Prince fled the
blazing scene. Nonetheless, a great evil had been stopped, unable to
strike at those close to you again.
The long journey home from
Rhun barely began before a swarm of unknown Easterlings detained your
company and declared that you were to be their prisoners. You have been
held captive in the Easterling city of Yahmul Balotz for the last year.
Separated from your companions, you have been interrogated repeatedly
about your business in their kingdom and, worringly, the preparedness of
Rhovanion for war. How much more of this can you take?

The time for heroes has come to Rhovanion. Indeed, an Easterling King
has succeeded in uniting some of the most powerful tribes for one
almighty assault upon Dale, the jewel of Rhovanion. Spurred on by agents
of Sauron, including the infamous Hand of Sauron himself, the situation
is grim indeed. These agents erode the strength of Dale from within and
the city risks losing it's head before the real battle has even begun.
But there is always
hope. Allies of Dale are on the cusp of launching a grand expedition to
reclaim a lost city, deep within the northern mountains, wherein there
is said to be artifacts of immense power. The adventure carries great
risk, for this city has a dark, horrific past. Nobody writes of the
terrors that lurk in the deep umbral darkness of Middle Earth - best it
stays that way."